Local Driving and Brakes
The driving experience in the Hybrid is very nice. There are a few differences that I had to get used to, especially as part of local driving. For one thing, when you come to a stop, the engine often turns off. If engine power is required in addition to the electric motors, there is a slight vibration that feels like a hesitation (it is not, I checked for myself) as the engine restarts. The power is pretty much instantaneous.
It is also pretty cool to note, as I have a 2007 Tahoe with the same engine, that the acceleration in the hybrid is pretty impressive. It is also interesting to note that while the suspension is relatively the same, most of the rear is aluminum, especially in the rear, as part of the effort to reduce the extra 400 lbs of transmission and battery pack. This gives the hybrid a definite difference in 'feel.' In every aspect, I like how the hybrid handles over the standard Tahoe.
One other thing that is important to note is that the braking system heavily uses the regenerative ability of the electric motors and drive package. This makes the brakes more sensitive and the truck seems to be able to stop at a much shorter distance. The regen system is used to charge the batteries as is any time when you cruise and the truck tries to pick up speed on its own. In effect, the regen system actually appears to assist the driver in maintaining speed.
Tomorrow (Sunday) I will be driving from the beach in Old Saybrook, Connecticut (my home office) to Pontiac, Michigan (GM) using Route 80, to 280, to 275 and 75 North. I will be paying attention to mileage, how the truck handles the highway and cruise control. It won't be too bad, the included XM radio does help! I will post the experience at the end of the trip.
[The picture above was taken on Friday afternoon at the Cornfield Point Beach in Old Saybrook, a couple of blocks from our offices]
Howard
posted by MotorDoc @ 4:59 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
I like the Tahoe Hybrid design. They are good lookin vehicles on the road, hope to be able to afford one in the near future.
What is the mpg savings between your non-hybrid vs the hybrid Tahoe?
Are you involved in any consulting with GM in Hybrid development? Curious to know how long the motors will last? Do you think you will need to have the motors repaired or replaced in the future? How much would that cost? How can you or the dealer test the electric motor condition?
Where do you see the electric vehicle industry in 10 yrs?
To answer your questions:
1. The best I can achieve in my non-hybrid is 14 local/18hwy versus the worst I have been able to get is 19.4 average local and 19.8 highway in the hybrid. While the sticker states 20/20 on the hybrid, when I follow the way the vehicle wants me to drive, I have been able to achieve 20.2/26. When I drive using my usual style (accelerate rather quickly and not use cruise control), the mileage tends to be 19.8/22.3.
2. Yes, I am. I have been asked not to provide details on my level of involvement at this time. Sufficient to know that I was originally going to wait until any kinks were worked out. Once I saw the details and history I bought it within the next few weeks without a second thought.
3. Let's just say that the motor designers have come up with a really, really impressive design that combines outstanding reliability and power density, far exceeding GM's competitors, within the reliability of the material manufacturers.
4. Pretty much the same way as any industrial motor is tested with just a few differences. The issue is more along the lines of training the mechanics how to test motors and drives. There will be a few differences, but no magic leaps meaning that everyone should be able to benefit from existing technologies and histories, at this time. But then again... Really, I am also hoping that the entry of the automotive industry into the electric motor industry will generate improvements in motor, drive and testing technologies that will benefit everyone.
5. Outstanding question. The reliability issues related to electrical equipment in vehicles is far less than I expected, including less than expected in a 'new technology.' I personally believe that the Volt is along the direction for personal vehicles and hybrid will be the choice for larger SUV's and work vehicles as you will want the sustained power of an engine in addition to the torque of the electric motors. What fuels are used for the engine in a hybrid will be the primary question, and the power supply for the all-electric vehicle and any onboard generators are the questions being worked on today. How quickly these techologies enter the market is less related to the goals and capabilities of the automotive industry, but directly related to the demand by the consumer. That means that it is important to make sure that vehicles meet the requirements of those customers within acceptable price-points.
For instance, I was more than willing to accept the higher price tag of the hybrid tahoe over the standard tahoe because I had all of the features of the standard tahoe (I didn't have to give anything up) and have been finding that the abilities of the vehicle outdo the standard tahoe.
Howard
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